Context brings the brightest minds to your living room with perspective-shifting online lectures.

Behind the Scenes of Renaissance Florence: A Three Part Course with Dr. Cornelia Danielson

Behind the Scenes of Renaissance Florence: A Three Part Course with Dr. Cornelia Danielson


No events are scheduled at this time. Want to be notified when it’s back? Click the blue button to the right and we’ll notify you.

Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after each event.

Our series of three talks will take a birds-eye view of life in Renaissance Florence, by exploring some familiar themes we take for granted in modern life. 

Led by an expert on Florentine History, Cornelia Danielson Ph.D.,  we will discover the realities of daily life in the Italian Renaissance. Designed to inspire curiosity and future travel to Florence, participants in this course will come away with increased knowledge of the social hierarchies and experiences which dominated the daily lives of Florence's citizens centuries ago. 

Lecture One: “Shaping Life”
Our course begins with an orientation to daily life in Florence. We will discuss a variety of topics–from telling time and taking measurements, to food and drink, and furnishing the home.

Lecture Two: “Le Donne”
Our second conversation addresses the life of women within Florentine society–from their limited education to the process of finding a husband, giving birth, and more. We will also discuss the fashions and styles which were popular during this era. 

Lecture Three:  “Outsiders”
Our final conversation will examine the role played by prostitutes, homosexuals, orphans, and famous illegitimate during the Florentine renaissance period. Our expert will also address how citizens of the Jewish faith were regarded and the creation of the city's ghetto. 

Cornelia has a PhD in art history from Columbia University and wrote her dissertation on Renaissance city planning. She is especially knowledgeable about Medici patronage.

How does it work?
This is a three-part series held weekly and hosted on Zoom. Please check the schedule for the specific dates and times for each lecture. 

When will I receive the Zoom link?
Your link to enter the Zoom room will be the same for all three sessions. It will be sent to the email address used to place your order 30 minutes prior to each lecture's start time.

Is there a reading list in advance?
Though the course is open to participants with no background on this topic, there are suggested readings for further investigation. These will be provided at the course's conclusion.

How long are the lectures?
Each lecture is 90 minutes long with time for Q&A.

How much is the course?
The course is $105 USD for three lectures.

Is a recording available?
Yes. All registered participants will be sent a recording link within 48 hours of each session's conclusion.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
50%
(2)
25%
(1)
25%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
D
D.F. (Burlingame, US)
Behind the Scenes

Interesting, informative and excellent presentation. Great use of slides

D
D.F. (Burlingame, US)
Easy Travel!

Interesting, well paced, excellent topics

N
N. (Dallas, US)

The information was mostly interesting. Her pattern of starting every sentence with Ah or Ummmm was very unprofessional and the barking dog was a distraction. She seems a pleasant person and knowledgeable.

V
Vickie Robinson (Napa, US)

Knowledgable lecturer. Presentation would be much improved if she stopped using filler words (“ah”, “um”) and learned to use the cursor. Class started 10 minutes late. No excuse for that.

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
50%
(2)
25%
(1)
25%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
D
D.F. (Burlingame, US)
Behind the Scenes

Interesting, informative and excellent presentation. Great use of slides

D
D.F. (Burlingame, US)
Easy Travel!

Interesting, well paced, excellent topics

N
N. (Dallas, US)

The information was mostly interesting. Her pattern of starting every sentence with Ah or Ummmm was very unprofessional and the barking dog was a distraction. She seems a pleasant person and knowledgeable.

V
Vickie Robinson (Napa, US)

Knowledgable lecturer. Presentation would be much improved if she stopped using filler words (“ah”, “um”) and learned to use the cursor. Class started 10 minutes late. No excuse for that.